Ancient Wizards: A Little Progress Every Day

Dago had no objection, and the two walked out of the space tent, led by Barker, talking as they went.

The folds of space gently smoothed out behind me.

The air was filled with a pungent, magical smell of ozone.

Barker walked ahead, his robes billowing.

It didn't stir up any dust.

His voice, transmitted through mental vibrations, reached Dago's eardrums directly.

"This year's battle for the Isidor Wizards spot is far more intense than in previous years..."

Buckle paused, his tone becoming deep and somber.

"Some even assert that this year's Wizards' top seed is very likely to inherit the true legacy left by Isidore in the South."

Dago's eyelids twitched slightly, and his mental tendrils keenly caught the key words.

True inheritance?

The wizards all knew perfectly well what this meant.

That represents a path to truth in a higher dimension.

It even involved changes at the rule level.

"The Archon lineage that Isidor left in the south has never been taken away?"

Dago's question carried a perfectly timed hint of doubt.

He needs more intelligence to build the model.

"There's a part that's missing, and that's the most crucial part."

Barker turned his head to the side, his eyes gleaming with a greedy phosphorescence for knowledge.

"No one has ever been able to meet Isidor's requirements for a successor..."

"Although no one knows exactly what the standards he set for inheriting this crucial part of the legacy are."

The unknown often means the greatest terror, but also the greatest temptation.

This is an ironclad rule in the wizarding world.

Two wizards appeared in the field of vision ahead.

They radiated an undisguised elemental radiation.

Like two moving, active volcanoes that could erupt at any moment.

Barker raised his hand.

The movements were subtle, yet carried a certain rhythm.

A ritual implement worn on the wrist emitted a light.

It was a dull, mercury-like film.

It enveloped him and Dago.

Completely isolate yourself from external observation and mental attacks.

The world seemed to be stripped away at that moment.

Only the sound of their footsteps remained.

"Let's get back to our little alliance."

Barker's voice sounded somewhat distorted in the isolation field.

There are only thirty-two seats in total.

"But there are at least three hundred wizards who are qualified to compete for a seat."

This number is like a cold, sharp blade.

It pierces the heart.

"So many?"

Dago was somewhat surprised.

But he quickly recalculated the probability in his mind.

The figures reported by Barker were far greater than what he had observed.

This means there are more crocodiles underwater than we thought.

"There will only be more."

Barker shook his head, his tone carrying a cruel clarity.

"Apart from those who are guaranteed a place in the first tier..."

"The target is the Wizards' top player..."

"There may not even be twenty seats left."

"To stand out among three hundred level-three wizards..."

"To secure one of the fewer than twenty seats..."

"It is too weak to rely on one person's strength alone."

Although a lone wolf is fierce, it can only be torn to pieces in the face of a pack of beasts.

"So you plan to collaborate and guarantee that some of them will make it into the top 32?"

Dago finally understood what Barker was trying to say.

This is a deal.

The majority's footsteps are used to allow a minority to reach the summit.

Then the benefits are redistributed.

Extreme rationality.

Extremely cold-blooded.

"Yes."

Barker said calmly.

I don't think there's anything shameful about this kind of "sticking together".

In the face of truth, means are merely tools.

"Gathering the power of dozens of third-ring wizards..."

"The chances of successfully securing a few seats are still quite high."

"Regardless of who ultimately secures the seat, everyone else will receive appropriate compensation."

This is a contract.

A community of interests bound by a magical contract.

It is much stronger than so-called friendship or blood ties.

Dago's expression was somewhat strange.

A glint flashed in his deep blue eyes as he assessed the feasibility of the plan.

He was both surprised and impressed by the ideas of Barker and his group of second-tier geniuses.

This compromise approach does indeed maximize the interests of everyone.

This is the survival wisdom of the weak against the strong, and also a victory in a group game.

With their respective backing forces, they are not worried about anyone betraying them after using them.

The consequences of breaking a contract are often more terrible than death.

The key is if this alliance were to achieve even one instance of cooperation...

Their relationship became more stable and secure.

When Barker and his generation grow up...

It can also bring many benefits to their respective factions.

This is a net.

A web of interests that will envelop the future of the southern wizarding world.

The vision and wisdom of the second generation.

Dago sighed inwardly.

It not only has power, but also a strategic vision.

This is what constitutes a profound foundation.

"Our group is still constantly recruiting new members..."

"The greater the strength of the group, the greater the benefits of a successful plan once the battle begins."

This is the snowball effect, turning more uncertainties into leverage for one's own side.

"So you contacted me just to get me to join your organization?"

Dago stopped in his tracks.

His gaze was sharp and unwavering as he stared directly at Barker.

"Dago thought for a moment and said, 'Even if I don't advance to the third ring, you still haven't changed your mind...'"

"It seems you have a way to allow second-ring wizards to join the battle."

This is a logical flaw.

Since this is a battlefield for third-ring wizards, second-ring wizards are nothing but ants.

Unless, there are loopholes in the rules.

Or, they have ways to circumvent the rules.

After a moment's thought, Barker said, "I suppose so."

He did not deny it directly.

"In fact, the threshold for the Isidore Wizards' Tournament is not based on being a third-ring wizard..."

"To be precise, it's the combat strength of the third ring."

This is a blurry line.

It also provides room for maneuver.

"There have been previous instances of second-ring wizards entering the competition..."

"But such an operation is not very meaningful."

Barker's tone became somewhat playful.

"Because even a second-ring wizard with the combat strength of a third-ring wizard..."

"At a difference of a vast realm..."

"It's still very difficult to compete with those third-ring wizard geniuses who also have the ability to challenge opponents of higher ranks."

Ultimately, they failed to make it into the top 32.

It's like challenging a knight wielding a steel sword with a wooden sword.

Theoretically, they could win, but in reality, it would be suicide.

"Just tell me the solution."

Dago spoke in a low voice.

His voice was hoarse, carrying a hint of suppressed longing.

Even though he was already very restrained.

But you could still hear the urgency in his tone.

The time for the Wizards' roster battle to officially begin is drawing ever closer.

The air itself seemed restless and uneasy.

The geniuses of the South took turns to appear.

Each one was displaying its fangs.

Dago, however, is still stuck in the process of moving from the second ring road to the third ring road, slowly climbing upwards.

This feeling is like a dragon trapped in shallow waters.

It would be a lie to say I'm not in a hurry at all.

Some things just can't be rushed.

A leap in one's level of life requires both accumulation and a catalyst.

Dago longed to participate in this grand event in person.

That was a feast of knowledge.

It is a flash of truth.

Now I hear Barker say there's a way to get in without actually breaking through the third ring road...

Natural surprise.

This may be his only chance to overtake others.

Barker was also aware of Dago's current condition.

His eyes, which seemed to see right through people, swept over Dago.

He glanced at Dago and said, "It's actually very simple, just steal other people's tickets."

This sentence struck like a thunderbolt.

It exploded in Dago's mind.

"Stealing other people's tickets?!"

Dago was taken aback.

A strange light shone in his eyes.

A moment later, all the light faded.

"You continue."

Dago calmed down.

There was no longer any emotion visible on his face.

This absolute rational control made Barker glance at him sideways.

"I have said everything I wanted to say."

Barker stopped in his tracks.

A huge shadow loomed over the two of them.

A rather beautiful and upscale space tent was set up in the shade of a hillside.

The runes on the surface flowed, exuding a dangerous aura.

Barker led Dago toward the location of the tent.

Dago's eyes flickered slightly.

He suddenly stopped, as if confirming the name of some kind of contract.

He suddenly spoke.

"I almost forgot, what's the name of your allied group?"

A name often represents the will and core values ​​of an organization.

"Gongjin Society"

Barker replied,

"Gongjin Society"

Dago murmured.

He then followed in Barker's footsteps.

Without any hesitation.

As the curtain was lifted, ripples spread through the space, as if the surface of water had been broken.

Stepping into the tent, the interior space was much larger than the space tent that Dago had purchased.

It is also much more luxurious and comfortable.

The air was filled with the scent of expensive, calming incense, which could soothe the restlessness of the mind.

There was even a fairly long carpet laid out in front of the door.

The carpet is woven with intricate magic patterns.

Bright light is shining down from the top directly in front.

It landed right on a small pond.

A long, circular table is placed beside the pool.

Some people were sitting at the table, while others were standing; each of them looked very young.

The spiritual energy fluctuations and soul aura emanating from them were all above the third ring.

He possesses an outstanding temperament and the air of a proud and ambitious young man.

They are the darlings of this era.

"Barker is here."

A voice shattered the delicate balance.

The appearance of the two immediately attracted the attention of everyone in the space.

Dozens of mental energy beams instantly scanned over.

With scrutiny, curiosity, and even a hint of provocation.

It's clear that Barker's status among this group is not low.

Those mental forces all slightly subsided when they touched Barker.

Upon seeing Barker, everyone's eyes immediately and naturally fell on Dago, followed by whispers.

Someone shouted at Barker, "Barker, what do you mean? Why did you bring a second-circle wizard with you?"

The person shouting pushed through the crowd and pointed directly at Dago, questioning Barker: "Do you expect us to grab a ticket for him?"

Barker shook his head and said, "He'll take care of the tickets himself."

"Even if he has the ability to obtain a ticket on his own, the contribution he can make in the competition is very limited, but joining would dilute the benefits of all members in the club."

The speaker showed no courtesy to Barker; he was a young man with blue hair, wearing an exquisite silver robe embroidered with a peculiar hand-like pattern.

"Perhaps you could try fighting him."

Barker looked at the blue-haired youth in front of him and said calmly, "I don't think you're necessarily stronger than him."

"Barker, are you indirectly insulting me?"

The blue-haired youth's face instantly darkened.

"I'm just stating what I believe to be a fact."

The two were locked in a fierce confrontation, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.

"Alright."

At that moment, a deep, resonant voice rang out.

The owner of the voice was a composed young man with black hair. He had a leader-like aura and was the strongest among everyone in the room, having reached the mid-stage of the third ring.

Both Barker and the blue-haired youth were only in the early stages of the Third Ring Road.

"I trust Barker's judgment. Claire, please trust your partner as well."

The black-haired youth spoke up to smooth things over; he seemed to hold considerable prestige within the group called the Progressive Society.

Both Barker and the blue-haired youth backed down, with the latter letting out a soft snort and sitting down at the circular table.

"Welcome to the Progressive Society. How should I address you, my friend?"

The black-haired youth smiled and extended his hand to Dago, saying, "You can call me Harvid. I belong to the 'Dawn Wind'."

"Dago Heca, like Barker, comes from the Thorn Ring."

Dago gave a brief self-introduction, followed by a dark-haired youth named Harvid who introduced all the members of the Progressive Society in the room to Dago one by one, showing him the utmost respect. Everything was impeccable.